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Anytime a new phone comes out, it can be hard to tell if it’s actually worth upgrading, especially when it comes to navigating all the new features. With Samsung having launched the Galaxy S26 series, and you begin to see more and more units stocked in carrier stores everywhere, you may be wondering if it’s worth the upgrade.
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Even if you have a two-year-old Samsung Galaxy S24, you may be considering how feasible it is to upgrade to the just-released S26. You may think the S26 upgrade is worth it for photography or battery life, but you’d be surprised how similar the two phones are.
I’ll break down how the Samsung Galaxy S26 compares to the S24 below to help you narrow down your pros and cons list.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 if…
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1. You want the best performance and AI features
The Snapdragon processor on the Galaxy S26 is a couple of generations newer than that of the S24, so you can expect better performance from the latest phone. Samsung is also more heavily leaning into artificial intelligence (AI) features with each generation, and this year is no exception.
The new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor offers faster performance than the Gen 3, better power efficiency, and more capable AI processing. This year’s Galaxy S26 series features significantly hyped up AI capabilities, including an upgraded Circle to Search that can recognize multiple objects at once (like a full outfit), the ability to choose your AI agent, and proactive suggestions.
Also: 5 phones you should seriously consider instead of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
It’s worth noting, however, that even if an S26 delivers faster app launches and multitasking, you can expect the software features to also come to the S24. The biggest difference is that the S26’s optimized hardware will likely make for better performance when using the AI experiences.
2. You’re partial to battery life and longer update support
The Samsung Galaxy S26 features a larger battery than the S24, at 4,300mAh compared to 4,000mAh. This translates into more reliable battery life, giving you a longer use time. The S26 has a slightly improved fast charging feature that gets you to 55% in 30 minutes, compared to 50% on the S24, which can translate into more effective top-ups.
While Samsung offers seven major OS updates for both the Galaxy S24 and the S26, the former launched with Android 14 while the latter will ship with Android 16. This makes the newer phone more future-proof if you were to buy today, as it’d feature longer update support.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 if…
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
1. You’re happy with the S24’s camera capabilities
Let’s be honest, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is very much an iterative upgrade — we’re only seeing some minor improvements and no big hardware-exclusive features. While the new Gen 5 processor in the S26 is faster and more efficient, many aspects of the device haven’t improved, including the physical cameras.
Also: Why my favorite Samsung S26 feature announced at Unpacked isn’t camera or AI related
Both rear and front cameras on the S26 have the same specifications as the S24, down to megapixels and aperture. Samsung has improved the sensors and is implementing image-processing upgrades to improve image quality. These upgrades are slight, but night photos and edited photos may look better on the S26.
2. You don’t see the need for an upgrade
Overall, when you compare the specs of the Galaxy S26 to the S24, you likely won’t see a glaringly obvious need for an upgrade — and that’s okay. Compared to the S24, the Galaxy S26 offers a slightly larger display with 0.1 inches more viewing space, a 300 mAh larger battery, 10% faster charging, and slightly better image processing.
These alone may not be enough to upgrade from a phone that is only two years old. If you have an older Galaxy flagship and want a newer option without breaking the bank, a $650 Galaxy S24 is quite compelling in 2026.
Writer’s choice
When comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 to the S24, I’m leaning towards better savings over flashier features. The Galaxy S26 doesn’t include major hardware upgrades or groundbreaking features — the specs, weight, look, and feel all suggest the day-to-day experience with an S26 isn’t that different from an S24. This is especially true if you only need the 128GB of storage, which is available with the S24.
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy S26
Samsung Galaxy S24
Display
6.3-inch, 411ppi, 2340×1080, 120Hz
6.2-inch, 416ppi, 2340×1080, 120Hz
167g
167g
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM/Storage12GB/12GB with 256GB/512GB8GB/12GB with 128GB/256GB/512GBBattery4,300mAh, Super Fast Charging 55% in 30 mins, Fast Wireless Charging 2.04,000mAh, 50% in 30 minsCamera50MP wide f1.8, 12MP ultrawide f2.2, 10MP telephoto f2.4, 12MP front
50MP wide f1.8, 12MP ultra-wide f2.2,10MP telephoto f2.4, 12MP front
Operating SystemAndroid 16, up to 7 major upgradesAndroid 14, up to 7 major upgradesPriceStarting at $900
Starting at $650
